https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:26:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090306 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 16:05:40 +0000 rattles 2090306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: Right?! I'm not fooling anyone into thinking I'm hip and single in my SUV either :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090302 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 16:03:04 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2090302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rattles: the only thing having a van will change about you is that your life will be more comfortable and more convenient! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090294 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 15:59:30 +0000 rattles 2090294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've got two and want more, so we've been debating the same. We were debating between an Explorer with bucket seats and a minivan. We test drove an Odyssey yesterday, and I think I'm sold. With an SUV, I think I'll make my life a lot more difficult on a daily basis just so that I don't have a van. The van drove well, was designed for our current phase of life and would just be easier. Next chapter, I'll do the SUV.<br /> @Mrs. Pen: the vans now have rear cameras and even side cameras that come on with your turn signals! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090240 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 14:46:01 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2090240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tysonja: you do get used to it - I learned to drive using an astro van, and when I became a live-in nanny, I drove an infiniti SUV (HUGE - if was as big, if not bigger, than a suburban) here is the image: <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Infiniti_QX56.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Infiniti_QX56.jpg</a>. I have drove a mini van a few times and definitely easier than an SUV. The upside to the infiniti SUV was that it had the backup camera which was awesome. I took care of four kids and it was a very comfortable set-up. Gas mileage was horrendous though - I couldn't imagine paying for the gas (lucky for them they had great company benefits that included gas reimbursement). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090236 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 14:36:15 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2090236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: yayy! Tell me how it is. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090235 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 14:35:46 +0000 HLK208 2090235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: ...we're test driving a mini van today... :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090234 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 14:35:20 +0000 MrsScottish 2090234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a 2006 CRv and a 2013 Pilot. ( only one kid and 2 big dogs)<br /> We bought the Diono car seats for this very reason in both vehicles.<br /> We will be installing a second covertable in the pilot as I drive a friend and her little one around a lot (is in a bucket right now so not an issue) and Dh and were talking about the logisitcs of this. Do we put them both on the outside, but then we cant get into the back, or do we put them on drivers and middle (which is the 60 part of the 60/40 split seat) so that we can still slide up the passenger side seat to get into the back. When we have the 3rd row up, I can still fit my baby jogger elite stroller in the back on its side. I could not imagine having to climb in and out to the 3rd row to help buckle a kid in. When I have driven my nieces and nephews around, we have had one of the 3rd row seats up, and they climb in no problem, and if I need to help with anything, I go through the back hatch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090223 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 14:06:06 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2090223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tysonja: I used to drive a mini van in high school (haha!) and I found it really easy to drive! It doesn't feel like you're driving a long vehicle. Much easier than an SUV! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090179 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:14:48 +0000 matador84 2090179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure, can you get 3 seats in an outback? You'd probably be fine staying with your CRV. I have two car seats in my outback, and have wondered if I could get a 3rd in the middle with the seatbelt. I'd hate giving up all the trunk space I have! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090175 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:05:55 +0000 tysonja 2090175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: thanks! :) will have to test drive later this summer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090163 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:49:59 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2090163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tysonja: they have cameras an aren't too bad to navigate once you get used to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats/page/2#post-2090158 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 12:41:55 +0000 tysonja 2090158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>very informative and useful post! :) we have 2 in convertibles in the back seat of our tiny civic coupe right now (never thought we'd manage that, but somehow it works!), but with a third coming in the fall, we're thinking what to do as well! sounds like we might as well make the gigantic leap to minivan too :). especially because we probably will try for a 4th later on... </p> <p>the thing i'm nervous about is maneuvering a minivan on the road, I've always driven small cars. I guess everyone can get used to it? :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2090058 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 10:19:30 +0000 GrapeCrush 2090058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have an SUV with a third row. Once the third row is up, we have very little trunk space. Also, which I didn't know before we got it, is not all vehicles with a third row are tested/rated for a car seat in the back. I also believe some, the airbags don't even go back that far. I wish we would have gotten a minivan </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2090052 Sun, 01 Mar 2015 10:14:37 +0000 marionberry 2090052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: Your friend and I sound like twins. So glad she has the same number and age of kids I will have and went with the dionos in her pilot. That's the seat we got for our oldest and plan to get for the other two. You just reaffirmed my decision. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089795 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:45:39 +0000 regberadaisy 2089795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both my brothers have minivans and it is so amazing with kids. They can get in and out by themselves, you're not all cramped together. But I will say with the odyssey and sienna even though it doesn't look like a lot of trunk space you can fit a ton in there. I know because everyte my family comes to visit they fit luggage for 8 and groceries for me for a month! :-P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089793 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:41:50 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2089793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: driving a van doesn't change how awesome you are, how cute your kids are, how smart you are, etc. Etc. Etc. If people think I'm lame for driving a van one day....screw them! :-P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089783 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:33:04 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2089783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: I'm 28 with two kids and a minivan! It's so much easier, even for stupid stuff like not hunching over to strap the kids in, or the wonderful doors that open along the side instead of swinging out and are activated by the key remote. Haters gonna hate hate hate hate... :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089773 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:17:27 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2089773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: @mrs. jacks: that's what I'm thinking (at least sometime down the road)! I might be the only 20-something year old driving a mini van, but since I'll spend most of my life solo with 3 kids (and I do all of the costco trips and shopping with the kids), the last thing I want is to be struggling by myself in a busy parking lot trying to get my kids in a cumbersome setup in our car...all because I wanted to be a cool mom.and wouldn't give in and buy a van! :-P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089768 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:12:07 +0000 sandy 2089768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: yeah she said it was pretty crazy the first year with all 3 but now her girls are older and she loves it bc they are super close and play so well together. they all have similar interests and are into similar activities so she can put them all in the same swim and dance classes </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089764 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:09:41 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2089764@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: we still have the Q5. I drive it :grin: We got a Toyota Sienna... It is so easy. I hate it! The girls can get in and out by themselves and then we just need to focus on the baby. It makes so much sense! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089763 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:06:57 +0000 HLK208 2089763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: did you get rid of your Q5?! What type of mini van did you get? Honestly, I'm kind of jealous of the mini van life. So practical, convenient, comfortable, the list goes on when you have 2+ kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089760 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:01:59 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2089760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thus the mini van for us :(</p> <p>Theo is in the immediate back seat and the two girls sit behind. Very easy. Very convenient. And very lame! (But it works-- unlike he third row which we struggled with getting girls in and out for test drives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089759 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 19:01:07 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2089759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: oh thanks for sharing....I think that's what we are going to do! (And man...3 girls under 1.5! That sounds like a party!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089755 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 18:51:15 +0000 sandy 2089755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everything you said about the third row in an SUV rings true for me - it's just not as easy to get in and out of and it basically means no trunk space. We test drove the Highlander that had the captain seats and it makes it so much easier to get to the 3rd row but again there's not much trunk space. So we just keep putting off the decision...</p> <p>My friend has 3 girls (the youngest are twins and her oldest is only 18 months older than her siblings) and they just made it work with 3 diono car seats across. They have a Pilot and rarely use the third row - her girls all like to be next to each other </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089713 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 17:30:29 +0000 Cole 2089713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: Not at all, she was five and I think she felt excited but previously she was stuck between her siblings so it was a big improvement! It was also quite awhile ago and the middle child was also in a booster so she could sit in the middle row from time to time as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089679 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 16:40:27 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2089679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The other day we passed a Ford Focus with 3 car seats in the back. So if they can do it..... ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089672 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 16:27:33 +0000 HLK208 2089672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: we have a few times when we only had 2 car seats but for the most part, we leave the middle seat in place (because Ben sits there and he won't sit in the third row...and I usually need him to replace a pacifier or distribute snacks, which he can't do when he's in the third row). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089668 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 16:25:29 +0000 MsMini 2089668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We talked about it when we bought DH's VW Touareg, and we plan to keep it once we have 3 kids, and just forgo the seating for other people. We are only in that situation where we are driving with more than just us, kids &amp; dog very rarely, and I would rather than lie down dead than drive a minivan ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089666 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 16:24:46 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2089666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HLK208: even for you, I feel like the crammed feeling is short lived. Once the kids are in something like boosters I think you'll have so much more space!</p> <p>Do you configure your middle row into the captains chairs? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/the-logistics-of-a-3-row-suv-when-you-have-3-car-seats#post-2089662 Sat, 28 Feb 2015 16:17:27 +0000 HLK208 2089662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: the Chevy traverse has middle captain's chairs. We test drove one and liked it! </p> <p>Our middle seat in the middle row comes out to make captain seating (Toyota Highlander) but you already know, our car is crammed. The third row just doesn't work and we have zero trunk space when it's up.</p> <p>In the future though, booster seats and FF car seats give you a lot more room! I'd hang on to the crv if I were you. </p>